Category: The Adaptor – A Novel

This is a work-in-progress dystopian novel. In this story I expand on the mythology of the grey, genderless aliens, making them shape-shifting scouts for another race that conquers any and all planets. As one scout’s shape-shifting abilities recede, it faces the end of its life and must decide whether or not to help those it befriended. In doing so, it may forever alter life for everyone involved.

While I appreciate comments and feedback, keep in mind that this is a work-in-progress and not a polished, finished piece.

“You want to know how I survived the testing?” Nemel asks me. The late afternoon sun casts shadows from both of us across the dusty ground. Each one of the shadows features elongated limbs, a simple lithe form for our bodies and a head that’s out of proportion to what it’s attached to. Without knowing […]

Once I set my mind on my own mission, I began looking for touching points — means of being in contact with the others while going unnoticed. Toxins have been used by Nosram on many occasions. While it’s important to infect the other scouts, it is not my intent to kill them. They should be […]

“Without an identity, without a purpose, without someone in my life who had a need for my presence, I felt no need to continue along the trek of life.” Elder’s voice is low, tinged with the sorrow that, I surmise, once filled it. Turning toward me, he locks his gaze on me, “You know what […]

I am half-asleep when Osc enters my room to prep my attire for tonight’s banquet. My eyes, heavy with sleep, and my mind slowed by boredom, loss and inactivity, don’t readily take note of Osc’s hand movements. I have the vague impression that he’s repeating the gestures, moving closer as he does so, but I […]

Despite our subservient role aboard this ship, despite the fact that we’re all held captive here, it has never occurred to any of us scouts to assume the shape of a life form that we adapted to, or even observed, and rebel. What would happen if all of us scouts returned as a band of […]

My room in the Bormeas’ compound is oppressively warm and dry during the day. Finding it difficult to breathe and even move when I’m on the bed, I choose to spend most of my time in the expansive chair by the balcony. Sometimes, if I leave the drapes open, I can even feel a breeze […]

The tips of my fingers touch the brittle piece in the inner pocket of my robe as I walk to my room. The edge is rough and unexpectedly jagged as though a jarring reminder of something out of place. Once inside, I prop a chair under the handle of the door to at least delay […]

I’ve run the scenarios and eliminated each race as the Nosram instructed me. There is another part to the simulation program though that takes some time to work through each scenario. We call it the re-enactor. By submitting blood and tissue samples of a species, along with data of their environment, we can see how […]

There is something amiss about the Bormeas. They aren’t what they used to be. They’ve fallen into the same behavior of overindulgence as the tribes and it’s changed them, altered them beyond recognition. Based on what Elder told me about their origin, I can hardly imagine this group of lumbering beasts taking over so quickly. […]

I am losing track of my time here with the Bormeas. The nights are the worst. Once we retire to our rooms after our evening feast, the noise of those wandering about on the streets of the city carries up to my room. It is mostly the Necco patrolling or harassing anyone wandering about in […]